Sailing Instructions 2010


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Applicability

These Sailing Instructions apply to all races organised by the RDYC in the Slow Handicap, Fast Handicap, J/80 and Squib Programmes but do not include races at the Royal Regatta or races organised by other clubs, for which specific Sailing Instructions are issued.

Supplementary Sailing Instructions, which may override some sections of these instructions, are given in this programme for the Club Races, the One Design Regattas, the Yealm Races, the Gallon of Rum Race, the Alderney Race and the Autumn Coastal Cup.

Sailing Instructions for the Medical Rally and supplementary instructions for the Pursuit Race will be available from the sailing office one week before each event. Family Fun Day information will be issued at the club on the day.

Courses

Courses will be selected from those given on the section RDYC Courses 2010 or as displayed on the course board at RDYC, on the Committee Boat or Blackstone Point.

Shorten Course

The Shorten Course Signal for all classes will be Flag S flown alone and for each individual class Flag S flown over the Class Flag. Shorten Course Signals may be accompanied by two sound signals.

Restrictions on Sailing Area

While racing, boats may not pass between any of the following and the shore: Western Blackstone Rock, West Rock Buoy, Mewstone Rocks, Coombe Rocks, and Dancing Beggars Rocks. West Rock Buoy is always to be regarded as an obstruction and must always be passed to seaward whether or not it appears in the course instructions. Boats must at all times keep clear of the mussel beds in the vicinity of the Western Blackstone Rocks. Boats must not impede the Higher or Lower Ferries at any time.

Classes and Class Flags.

Races will be run for the following classes and the following flags will be used for the Warning, Cancellation and Shorten Course Signals.

Yachts racing in Fast Handicap, J/80 and Slow Handicap classes must fly their Class Flag from their backstay or equivalent position.

Yachts sailing in the White Sail Races (May 27th - July 8th) should NOT fly a spinnaker.

Class Class Flag Warning Signal Wed Start Time
Slow Handicap NP 4 NP4 18:30
Squib NP 7 NP7 18:35
Fast Handicap NP 1 NP1 18:45
J/80 NP 2 NP1 18:45


Gate Starts

Some one design and Handicap races may be Gate Starts. A yacht will be designated as a Start boat for each class. A hooter will sound at 5 minute, 4 minute, 1 minute and start time. No visual signals will be made.
The fleet shall congregate on the starboard side of the first beat to starboard of the CB's anticipated course. At the Start the CB shall sail away from the Starting Mark close hauled on Port Tack. The CB has rights over all other boats even though she is on Port Tack. Other competing boats start by sailing on starboard tack across an imaginary line between the stern of the CB and the Starting Mark.
When all competitors have started or after 1 minute (whichever is sooner) the CB becomes subject to normal racing rules. On finishing, boats shall note their finishing position and the boats immediately in front and behind and report this information on returning to the club.

Notices to Competitors and Changes to Sailing Instructions

The official notice board shall be the RDYC Notice Board. Changes to the sailing instructions shall be posted on the official notice board at least two hours prior to the scheduled start time of the race. Exceptionally, changes of sailing instructions may be communicated verbally by the committee boat in accordance with Rule 89.2(c) or on VHF Channel M1 (Channel 37). Course information and shorten course signals may additionally be broadcast on Channel M1 (Channel 37)

Time Limits

A time limit of 2015hrs will apply to Wednesday evening races with a 15 minute extension if at least one boat has finished within the time limit. The Race Officer may abandon the race earlier if conditions require it. Time limits of other races are at Race Officers discretion or as specified in the supplementary instructions.

Ladies Race (June 16th) and Crews' Race (September 8th)

A lady must be at the helm for throughout the Ladies' race and a helm who does not own or normally helm the boat for the Crew's Race.

Pursuit Race

Additional sailing instructions giving each boat's start time will be available on the website at least 24 hours before the race and from RDYC on the day of the race.

RDYC Website

A copy of these sailing instructions and entry forms is on the RDYC website. In the event of a discrepancy the printed version as amended by any changes to the sailing instructions posted on the RDYC club notice board shall be the definitive version.

Signals

The following signals may be flown from RDYC and/or Race Control:

Flag Signal Time & Sound Signals Meaning
Flag L at RDYC at least 1 hours before start Changes to sailing instructions
Flag L on CB Prior to Warning Signal Approach within hailing distance
Flag H at least 30 mins before start All classes start from Club House Line
H over Class Flag at least 30 mins before start Class start from Club House Line
Flag N 3 sound signals Abandon racing
N over Class Flag 3 sound signals Abandon racing for that class
Answering Pennant 2 sound signals Postpone the start
Class Flag 1 Sound Signal Warning Flag, 5 minutes to start
Flag P 1 Sound Signal Preparatory Flag, 4 minutes to start
Flag P down 1 Sound Signal 1 minute to start
Class Flag down 1 Sound Signal Start
Flag X 1 sound signal Boat(s) on course side at start
Flag Y 1 sound signal Personal buoyancy must be worn
Flag S 2 sound signals All classes sail shortened course
S over Class Flag 2 sound signals Class(es) sail shortened course
No visual signals Sound signals only Gate Start

Keelboat Sailing Instructions

One Design Regattas

One Design Regattas will be held on 15th May, 5th June, and 10th July. Up to four races may be sailed on each day. Racing will be for Squibs, Scimitars, J/80s, and other classes at the Racing Committees discretion. For a race to count at least two boats of that class must start. Scimitars and Squibs will race together as one level-rated class. Up to four races may be sailed each day.

Autumn Series

An Autumn Series of One Design races will be held on 4th Sep, 11th Sep, 18th Sep, 25th Sep, 2nd Oct, and 9th Oct. A maximum of two races will be sailed on each day.

Eligibility

Races are open to members of RDYC, DYC, SDCRA and the Squib and J/80 Class Associations.

Start Time:

Squib and Scimitar, 14:30. J/80 14:35

Five minutes before the start of the second and subsequent races, two sound signals will be made to indicate that a new start is about to take place.

Start Line, Finish Line and courses.

Start and finish line between the Committee Boat and the ODM. Course as displayed from the Committee Boat.

Heavy Weather Courses

If weather conditions require it Flag H will be flown from the clubhouse at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time and the start will be the Club Start Line with the course indicated at the clubhouse.

Time Limit

At the Race Officer's discretion ten minutes after the first boat of each class has finished, the race may be terminated and boats not having finished scored as if in last place. Termination of a race in these circumstances will be indicated by three sound signals.

Scoring

All races will count as one single series. One discard will be allowed for every three completed races.

There may be separate prizes for J/80s, Dragons, first Squib and first Scimitar depending on entry.


Weekend Handicap Sailing Instructions

Dates

Handicap Races will be held on 15th May, 5th June, and 10th July.
An Autumn Series of Handicap races will be held on 4th Sep, 11th Sep, 25th Sep, 2nd Oct, and 9th Oct. Sailing instructions for the New Coastal Cup (September 18th) are below.

Eligibility and Crew

Races are organised for members of RDYC, DYC and Torbay Clubs. If sufficient boats enter there will be a separate course for boats with a PY of 1050 and over. Self steering (including electronic) may be used. This changes Rule 52. Yachts may declare to sail without a spinnaker by flying an additional pennant from their backstay beneath their class flag prior to the Warning Signal. A handicap adjustment will be made for that day's racing.

Start Time and Time Limit

Start time Saturday Races 14:40. Time limit 2hrs 20 mins with a 30 minute extension if one boat finishes within the time limit.

Start Line and Course

Start: Committee Boat and Outer Distance Mark. A course from the RDYC Race Courses will be indicated at the Committee Boat. Self starting by one of the RDYC Racing Committee may be required using Channel M1 (Ch 37).

Scoring

Series will be scored as provided in the RRS Appendix A Rule 4 low points system, using Rule A9. Series ties will be broken in accordance with Rule A8.

The races will count as one series. Discards will be allowed as specified in the Notice of Race.


Coastal Races: General Sailing Instructions

Eligibility, Entry, RDYC Representative

Races are open to members of RDYC, DYC and other South Devon Clubs. Competitors must submit an RDYC Registration Form to the RDYC Sailing Office before 18:00 on the day preceding the race. Yachts must comply with ORC Category 4.
The designated RDYC representative afloat will fly Code Flag 4 on his backstay in addition to the Class Flag. All competitors must identify themselves to him prior to the start and notify him on completion or retirement. The Western Blackstone, the West Rock Buoy, the Mew Stone and Cod Rock shall be passed to seaward at all times.

Communication

Yachts should listen on Channel M1 (Ch 37) for course instructions, changes to SI and Starting Instructions.

Handicaps

Yachts will be handicapped using the IRC handicap. Boats with no IRC will be allocated a TCF by the RDYC Racing Committee.

Starts and Self Timing

An RDYC Yacht may act as starting yacht by broadcasting start times on VHF Channel M1 (Ch 37) and making a sound signal. In this case no flags will be flown. Yachts are to certify their own times of finishing. Please note sail numbers of boats ahead and astern. Times are to be notified to the RDYC Office by e-mail or telephone by 2pm on the Monday following the race.

Electronic Self Steering

RRS 52 shall not apply to RDYC Coastal or One Design Races. (This permits the use of Self steering gear including wind and electronically powered in compliance with IRC Rule 14.1).

Time Limit

The specified time limit will be extended by one hour if one or more yachts finish the course within the time limit. This alters Rule 35.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the winning yacht and subsequent places at the Race Committee's discretion.


Specific instructions for individual races

Gallon of Rum Race: Sunday 25th July 2010

Start Time: 11:00 Time Limit 6 hours, extended as above.

Start Line From the Committee boat to Castle Ledge Buoy.

Course A: Start Skerries(p) Orestone(p) Brixham YC Red Finish

Course B: Start Homestone (p) Brixham YC Green Finish

Course C: as indicated on the Committee Boat.

Dart - Yealm Race: Saturday 3rd July 2010

Start Time: 12:30am. Time Limit 8 hours, extended as above.

Course: Start Line. Sail direct to Finish Line, extended as above.

Start Line: Transit of two white posts on Blackstone Point. Castle Ledge Buoy is ODM. If only one white post between the white flag staff and castle Ledge Buoy.

Finish Line: A line formed by two white poles adjacent to the hut at south side of river Yealm entrance at Mouthstone Point, crossed West to East.

Yealm - Dart Race: Sunday 4th July 2010

Start Time: 10:00am. Time Limit 8 hours, extended as above.

Course: Start, Sail direct to Finish Line

Start Line: A line formed by two white poles adjacent to the hut at south side of river Yealm entrance at Mouthstone Point, crossed East to West.

Finish Line: Transit of two white posts on Blackstone Point. Castle Ledge Buoy is ODM. If only one white post between the white flag staff and castle Ledge Buoy.

Alderney Race: Saturday 7th August 2010

Entry: According to entry conditions in Notice of Race .

Start Time: 07:00. Time Limit 24 hours. No extension.

Course: Start Line then sail direct to Finish Line.

Start Line: Transit of two white posts on Blackstone Point. Castle Ledge Buoy is ODM. If only one white post between the white flag staff and castle Ledge Buoy.

Finish Line: The line between the North side of Fort Albert and the Breakwater Head, crossed North to South.

New Coastal Cup: Saturday 18th September 2010

Start Time: 14:00 Time Limit 4 hours, extended as above.

Course: A course will be indicated by the course board shown at Blackstone Point or on the Committee Boat in the vicinity of the Castle Ledge or Homestone Buoys.